The 17-year-old returned to his Chadwell Heath roots this week and also dropped in on his old school before firing England’s under-17s to World Cup glory

England's under 17's pose with the World Cup trophy at Heathrow Airport (pic: Steven Paston/PA Images).

Steve Bull, Chadwell Heath Academy’s headteacher, hopes Rhian Brewster’s heroics at the under-17 World Cup can not only inspire local aspiring footballers, but all youngsters from the area to reach their goals.

The 17-year-old scored in the final of the tournament at the weekend to help England come from two goals down to beat Spain 5-2 and be crowned world champions.

Brewster, a former Chadwell Heath Academy pupil, claimed the golden boot after scoring eight times, but hasn’t forgotten his roots after posting a picture on Instagram walking down Chadwell Heath High Street with his World Cup medal.

“Rhian is a lovely lad and we are very proud of him and he’s back at the moment, which is nice,” said Bull.

“A lot of our kids are aware of him, so it’s an inspiration for them, but we’ve tried to turn it into something more than just football.”

The Chadwell Heath Academy headteachers wants his current pupils and other youngsters from the area to know anything is possible if you give your all.

Bull added: “It shows you just need to pursue your dreams and work hard – that sums it all up for me.

“If you have a talent, and everyone does, it is a case of pursuing it by working really hard just like Rhian has.

“We want that lesson to be transferred as a general one because it is an inspiration for kids to see someone who was once sitting in an assembly like them go on to do the things Rhian has.”

The Liverpool forward visited his old school before flying out to India for the under-17 World Cup and Bull hailed his attitude.

Brewster, who made the brave decision aged 14 to leave Chelsea and relocate to Merseyside, is the talk of England right now.

And his manager at Anfield, Jurgen Klopp, spoke highly of the teenager, which suggests his pathway into the Reds first-team may be closer than he thinks.

Bull said: “Rhian has an innate ability doesn’t he? It is very natural, but he’s also just a normal Chadwell Heath kid and that’s the nice thing about it.

“There’s no airs or graces about him, so we’re all very proud and it’s great he takes the time out to pop back when he can and come to see us.”

Brewster should act as a role model to other local kids. When you work hard, rewards follow.